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Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries to block Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, citing its misuse in creating sexually explicit and non-consensual images. Authorities in both countries said existing safeguards failed to prevent the generation and spread of fake pornographic content, particularly involving women and children.

Indonesia temporarily restricted access to Grok on Saturday, followed by Malaysia on Sunday. Indonesia’s Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said non-consensual sexual deepfakes pose a serious threat to human rights, dignity and digital safety. Officials added that manipulated images based on real photos could violate privacy and cause psychological and reputational harm.

In Malaysia, the communications regulator said Grok was repeatedly used to create obscene content, including material involving minors. It ordered a temporary block, saying responses from X and xAI relied too heavily on user reporting. The ban will remain until stronger safeguards are implemented. The move comes amid growing global scrutiny of generative AI tools.

The film ‘Eklo I’ directed by Pradeep Shahi has earned 4,300,000 at the domestic box office in the 10 days of its release. The Film Development Board on Monday released the details of the Cinepa box office.

According to the details, only 13011 tickets have been sold in the same period. The film, which is said to be a science fiction film, stars Vijay Lama, Pradeep Khadka, Dinesh DC, Kavita Nepali, Jamie Bacon and others. The figures for the movie, which released on Jan 1, are as of Jan10, i.e. last Saturday

Kathmandu University (KU) is organizing AI Conclave 2026 from today. 

The three-day-long conclave is being held at KU, Dhulikhel, at the call of the Artificial Intelligence Club of the Department of Artificial Intelligence, KU.

The Club's Chairman, Ashim Shrestha, said that the conclave is aimed at converging all AI learning and innovation in a single platform.  

The conclave is expected to raise awareness among the AI enthusiasts on the practical use of AI in education, health care, finance, governance, industry and society. 

The conclave is being held under the theme of "Bridging Intelligence and Innovation" which will be attended by students, researchers, industries, startups, policymakers and others.  

This is the second part of the AI Convergence-2026 initiated by the KU. Prior to this, AI Canvas was conducted.    

The National Level AI Summit will be held today as part of the AI Conclave while the project exhibition, robotics competition, e-games, tech-talks and expo will be held on Tuesday.

Likewise, panel discussions will be held on AI for Society, the finale of the e-games and policy discussions will be conducted on the last day of the conclave, the organizer said. 

As high as 5,000 people are expected to attend the AI Conclave.

Nepal -built MUNAL Satellite is being launched today. 

The Nepal Academy Science and Technology said that the entire preparations for the launch of the student-build satellite were over. 

Development of this satellite, which is led by the higher secondary level Nepali students, is a landmark achievement in Nepal's journey to space science. 

Made with the efforts of two years, the MUNAL Satellite would be used for monitoring of plants, tests of domestic technology and processing of AI-driven data. 

Member Secretary of Academy Dr Rabindra Prasad Dhakal said that the launch of the MUNAL Satellite ISRO will be conducted from the Academy's ground station in Khumltar, Lalitpur, at 10:32 local time.

The price of gold reached an all-time high in the domestic market on Monday, setting a new historical record.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Traders, the price of gold has increased by Rs 4, 100 per tola to reach Rs 274, 700 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 270, 600 per tola on Sunday. 

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 205 and is being traded at Rs 5, 195 per tola.

Unrest in Iran has killed more than 500 people, a rights group said on Sunday, as Tehran threatened to target U.S. military bases if President Donald Trump carries out his renewed threats to intervene on behalf of protesters, Reuters reported. 

With the Islamic Republic's clerical establishment facing the biggest demonstrations since 2022, Trump has repeatedly threatened to get involved if force is used on protesters.

According to its latest figures - from activists inside and outside Iran - U.S.-based rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, with more than 10,600 people arrested in two weeks of unrest, according to Reuters. 

Gabriel Martinelli scored his first hat-trick for Arsenal as the Premier League leaders beat second-tier strugglers Portsmouth 4-1 to reach the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, Reuters reported. 

The Brazilian was criticised in midweek for his behaviour after Liverpool's Conor Bradley suffered a serious injury near the end of their Premier League clash on Thursday but ended the week in style with his first goals in the FA Cup.

Manchester United bowed out though as they lost 2-1 at home to Brighton and Hove Albion with Danny Welbeck on target against his former club, according to Reuters. 

Christopher Nkunku scored in the 90th minute to earn AC Milan a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina on Sunday but, despite extending their unbeaten league run, the visitors continue to lose ground in the Serie A title race with their second stalemate in four days, Reuters reported. 

Milan remain second on 40 points, two behind Inter Milan who could increase their lead when they host champions Napoli later on Sunday, while Fiorentina are third from bottom on 14 points.

"I'm not thinking about it (Inter v Napoli) at all," Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri told DAZN, according to Reuters.